Proposition 304

RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ARE HEREBY SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION.

"SHALL THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE SALARIES BE ACCEPTED?" ? YES ? NO

RECOMMENDATIONS, IF APPROVED BY THE ELECTORS, SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITHOUT ANY OTHER AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION.

CURRENT SALARY.......................................... $24,000

PROPOSED SALARY........................................ $36,000

ARGUMENTS "FOR" PROPOSITION 304

The Valley Citizens League, a non-partisan civic organization, recommends a YES vote to increase legislators' annual salaries to $36,000.

It ought to be possible for regular, working Arizonans to serve in their Legislature. The present low salary, $24,000, makes it difficult for anyone with family responsibilities to serve, especially when the legislative paycheck is the primary family income. Moving the salary up to a more livable standard will widen the pool of available candidates and give Arizona better leadership choices. The added income should also make it possible for legislators to spend more time studying issues between formal legislative sessions. Our state, with its 5 million people and $15 billion state budget needs the best leadership talent we can get. Let's not shortchange ourselves by making it difficult for good people with family responsibilities to serve.

Our findings:

Of the 42 states who pay legislators an annual salary, Arizona ranks 21st. (The other states pay legislators on a per diem basis only.)
All Arizona legislators receive a $35 per diem during the legislative session. (120 days maximum)
Legislators whose normal residence is outside of Maricopa County receive an additional $25 per day during the legislative session.
Legislators receive health and pension benefits.
Legislators have not received a raise since 1998.

Dennis M. Burke, President, Phoenix

Joel Harnett, Boardmember, Phoenix

Paid for by "Valley Citizens League"

ARGUMENTS "AGAINST" PROPOSITION 304

These generic, clueless legislators do not deserve $36,000 for only "100 days" work. (There was a coup d'etat in Dallas, November 22, 1963: CIA killed JFK.) In addition to their salary, they get great medical benefits, >$60 cost-of-living per diem and retirement benefits after only five years! Vote NO on 304!

Bruce A. Friedemann, Candidate, State Representative, District 28, Tucson

Paid for "Friedemann2002"

BALLOT FORMAT

RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS AS TO LEGISLATIVE SALARIES HAS BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND IS HEREBY SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION.

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE SALARIES OF STATE LEGISLATORS FROM $24,000 TO $36,000 PER YEAR.

"SHALL THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE SALARIES BE ACCEPTED?" ? YES ? NO

RECOMMENDATIONS, IF APPROVED BY THE ELECTORS, SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITHOUT ANY OTHER AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION.

CURRENT SALARY.......................................... $24,000

PROPOSED SALARY........................................ $36,000


A "yes" vote shall have the effect of raising State Legislators' salaries to $36,000 per year.		YES
A "no" vote shall have the effect of keeping State Legislators' salaries at $24,000 per year.		NO

The Ballot Format displayed in HTML reflects only the text of the Ballot Proposition and does not reflect how it will appear on the General Election Ballot.
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation were reproduced as submitted in the "for" and "against" arguments.